The End of Akira
Chapter 23: Pain and Getting Lost

Sou closed his eyes enjoying the wind blowing as if he was inviting him to sing.

(About greatly admiring Sou's good looks) whispered Akira inwardly.

"It's so safe"

"Sou was right, so comfortable" Akira smiled. "Sou, I'll see the flowers there, it looks pretty"

"Yes, I'm waiting for you here" Sou smiled.

"Well.beautiful! Come here, come here" Akira was talking to a butterfly.

"Beautiful" said Akira amazed. "Sou, Sou! Come here for a while" Akira hinted for Sou to get closer to him.

"What's wrong?"

"Look pretty, right?" 

"What a beauty, how can she stay on your finger Akira?" Said Sou amazed.

"I just stretched out my finger and it's like this" she smiled.

"That's pretty. Look, the blue wings look like jewels" Sou said approaching Akira's hand.

"Yes ka-"

THE DUGH!!

"Akhc!" Akira's reflexes touched his forehead and Sou touched his back head.

"Akh, sick. Are you okay Akira?" Asked Sou worried.

"I'm fine" he said, still holding his forehead.

"Sorry Akira, here let me see" said Sou pulling Akira until they almost touched.

(Too close!)

Sou then pulled out Akira's front hair. "You're red Akira, it must be very painful, right? I'm sorry" he said as he stroked Akira's forehead.

"I'm fine Sou" Akira smiled.

(It was always a smile, but this smile was the same as back then. Round eyes, long eyelashes and eyebrows, a mole next to the eyes, her thin lips, and her smile.I guessed it!).

"I thought I liked you Akira" Sou said, looking into Akira's eyes.

"S-Sou?"

"I like you, I like you a lot Akira" he said in the same position.

(What did Sou say? She like me? Someone, please wake Akira up! Akira doesn't know what to do now, how is this?)

"Eh? Ah. that's- I-I"

Sou then gently rubbed Akira's cheek. "I'm not asking you to answer it now. I just wanted to tell you that I like you a lot. I want to spend my time with you, do you allow it?" He looked inside Akira.

(How about now? How's now? Please Akira!)

"H-hmm" Akira nodded his head in response.

"Thank you" said Sou smiling. "I'm sorry, I hurt you again" he said as he rubbed Akira's forehead.

"That's okay S-Sou" said Akira again bowing his head.

"Your cheeks are red, are you sick?" 

"No-no, I'm not sick"

(True, Akira is not sick but it looks like Akira's heart is jumping out)

"Alright, let's go back to class" Sou said, pulling Akira's hand.

(What just happened? Surprised, Akira felt like he was going to fall. You like Akira? That means Akira's feelings are avenged. Akira was happy that Sou said it earlier but what should Akira answer? Of course, Akira also likes it but if it's like this isn't it more awkward? But Akira remains happy to know Sou's feelings and to know that Akira's feelings are avenged) Akira's inner smile thinly looks at Sou's back.

Sou then turned around and smiled at Akira. So did Akira who then returned Sou's smile.

Day camp training..

Afternoon at school..

"I think remember your promise, be careful there" said Naoya dropped Akira's luggage.

"Yes Kak, Akira promised" Akira replied smilingly.

"about!" Call Hana. "Ah, good afternoon" said Hana politely.

"Good afternoon, Akira's friend huh? Please help, please be good friends with Akira" Naoya smiled.

"Of course" Hana replied smiling.

"Where do not separate from other friends understand? It's still a forest, very dangerous. Akira's friends also do not part with the entourage yes" said Naoya again.

"I-iya" said Hana understood.

"Yes, Akira understands"

"Yes already, Brother come home yes, be careful there. If anything happens just call Brother, okay?"

"Yes, thank you. Bye-bye" said Akira waving his hand.

"Bye-bye. Akira's friend, I go first" she told Hana.

"Yes, be careful" replied Hana smiling. "That's Akira's sister? His slings" said Hana amazed.

"Thank you" said Akira smiling.

"Let's get on the bus, the others are waiting"

"Come on."

Seating in the bus was divided into 2, the right consisted of 2 seats and the left consisted of 3 seats.

"Where are you sitting?" 

"Here" said Hana pointed to the front bench on the right with Rara who was playing a mobile phone there.

"Alright, I'm going to the back" Akira smiled.

"Yes, I'm sorry we can't sit together"

"No problem" Akira smiled.

(Where should I sit?)

"Just sit here" Sou said, pulling Akira's hand.

"S-Sou, you surprised me. A-are men and women not separated?"

"Looks not, just sit here, it's still empty" Sou smiled.

(Will it be okay after yesterday? But if I dodge, Sou will definitely misunderstand)

"Well, I'm allowed to sit next to you" said Akira, who is called Sou.

Along the way, they enjoy time with various activities such as listening to music, seeing the scenery, even karaoke. Everyone looked very happy not to mention Akira and Sou.

But the night, the atmosphere began to calm down because the students were resting a lot. Bus lights are also turned off and illumination is only from the front row seat lights.

"about?"

"Yes, what's up Sou?"

"I thought you were asleep" Sou smiled.

"I can't sleep" Akira smiled back. "Sou want an orange?" Tawar Akira's.

"Thank you" said Sou, taking the orange in Akira's hand. "Sweet" said Sou smiling.

"Thank God if Sou likes it. I still have a lot of oranges, Sou can take some" Akira smiled.

"Thank you very much. Akira seems to like oranges, huh?"

"Yes" said Akira smiling.

"I want to too!" Hiro said, sitting in front of Akira's chair.

"Almost I scream" murmured Akira.

"Tch, you surprised us!" Upset Sou.

"Sorry, sorry. Can I?" Ask Hiro again.

"Of course, this is the orange" Akira said, giving one of his oranges to Hiro.

"Thank you."

A while later...

"Want to see the view? Tokyo City when the night is so beautiful, come here li-Akira? It was sleeping" Sou smiled.

"It's pretty when you're asleep" murmured Sou looked at Akira. "Don't fall asleep like that or your neck will hurt later" he said again and then put Akira's head to lean on his shoulder.

"Good night" Sou smiled.

"About me.. You're asleep?" murmured Hiro looked at Akira. "This must be your plan, right? Basic man, take a chance in narrowness" Hiro told Sou.

"Don't be noisy, you'll wake her up, Hiro. I didn't bring a neck pillow and it looks like he didn't bring it either. My shoulders are more comfortable than leaning against a chair" Sou said as he continued to stare at Akira.

"Yes yes, I understand" Hiro said indifferently.

A while later, Akira opened his eyes slowly.

"What's wrong? Did I wake you? It's still night" Sou smiled.

"So-ah sorry Sou, I'm sorry" Akira said in a panic as she leaned against Sou's shoulder.

"Why? What's up?"

"That's it, I must be heavy, right? Sorry" said Akira.

"No problem, I'm not bothered by that. I feel good if my shoulders are more comfortable for you to sleep on" Sou smiled.

"But thank you Sou" said Akira lowered his head.

"Either. Sleep again, it's still night we're also still a long time" said Sou smiling.

"It's okay, I'm not sleepy anymore"

"All right"

Some time later they arrived at a ryokan or inn with facilities and buildings of Japanese architecture. This type of inn provides a Japanese-style room with tatami (a Japanese mat made of reed grass and cloth). Of course the student building is separate from the student building.

"What a luxury" said Hana amazed

"You're right" Akira said.

"Until tomorrow Akira" said Sou smiling.

"Till tomorrow too Sou" said Akira smiling.

Akira occupies the same room as Hana, Rara, Miya, Ayano, and one other person. And because they were tired they fell asleep.

Her morning..

The activities of the first day start with several races such as knowledge race, skill race such as singing, cooking and others and the last is to explore the forest

"To explore the forest, please form a group of 6 people. There are at least 2 students and 4 others are students"

"About a bunch of people" Sou asked.

"I'm coming too" said Hiro.

"Can" said Akira smiling.

"I'm coming" said Hana.

"Can I come? Ask Miya

"Sure" said Akira smiling.

"Can I come in?" Ask Ayano.

(It looks like they rejected Ayano, but,)

"Tch, it's up to you" said Sou.

"Find some clues that we're spreading in this forest. If you follow the directions properly you will not get lost. Please start from group 1" said the Teacher.

"Let me take the lead and Hiro stand guard at the back" said Sou, who was taken in by all the members. Then they entered the forest.

"Ckk don't have to break through either" Hana said annoyed to see Ayano break through Akira and Miya.

"Don't fight" said Hiro.

The running order of Sou's group is Sou, Ayano, Hana, Miya, Akira, and Hiro.

"Are you afraid?" Hiro asked smiling.

"A little" said Akira smiling.

"Me too, but it looks like it'll be safe, right?"

"Yes, as long as we follow Master's instructions" Akira said again.

Akira and Hiro have been left behind by the group several times due to the fun of chatting.

"Oh? We are left behind again Hiro, let's hurry" said Akira speeding up his pace.

"Why are they so fast? I can't see it anymore"

"We'd better go after them Akira. Doesn't matter if you run?" 

"of course. Come on" said Akira spirit.

"Is this the lead?" Said Akira looking at the arrow pointing to the right side.

"It seems so, come on" Akira and Hiro then walk following the instructions given by the committee and the teacher.

Akira and Hiro then run to chase Sou and his friends who have already left. But there was no sign of their existence.

"Are we on the wrong path, Hiro? Why don't we meet Sou and the others? Did they walk that fast?" Akira asked confusedly.

"I'm tired, can we walk first" Akira said.

"Sure, I'm tired too" 

"But it feels like there's no other clue than the arrow?" Akira said to make sure.

"You're right, it feels weird. Are we going back?" Hiro said doubtfully.

"My feeling is bad, we're back, okay? Or wait for another group to come?" Akira was confused.

"Looks like. Let's just wait here" explained Hiro Akira.

Akira and Hiro decide to wait for the other group to pass by in order to walk together. But after a long wait, there was no sign of another group coming.

"Hiro, I'm scared" Akira said, drawing himself closer to Hiro.

"We go back, come on" he asked.

While returning down the previous path, Hiro slipped which made him fall rolling into the valley.

"Chiro!!!!" 

"hiro!" Akira then quickly descends the slope, chasing after the fallen Hiro.

"hiro's? Where're you? Hiro, please answer me!" yell Akira panicked.

"I'm here Akira" said Hiro waving his hand.

Akira quickly approached Hiro.

"Are you okay?" Akira asked worried about the tears that had been dripping from earlier.

"Don't cry Akira, I'm fine" Hiro said in a panic.

"out of.. Hiro hicks.."

(Daddy! Akira sucks! Hiro is confused and scared, but Akira cries and makes the situation worse)

"Don't cry, I'm okay. There I am here too. Don't cry" said Hiro holding Akira's shoulder. "It looks like we're lost away from Akira. For now let's go back upstairs."

Akira then wiped away her tears. "Yes." Yeah."

(I have to how is this? I really don't know how to survive in the woods. Plus there was a girl with me. We have to go upstairs first) inner Hito is confused.

"Come on" said Hiro grasping Akira's hand.

"Hiro your hand" said Akira, looking at Hiro's injured hand.

"It's just an ordinary wound, later it will heal itself. Come on up, we have to seek help" Hiro smiled.

"But your hands are bleeding, we treat first. I brought P3K" said Akira opening the small bag he was carrying.

(True, this hurts) "All right."

Akira then treats Hiro's wound long enough, possibly hit by a twig when he fell earlier.

"Is anyone hurt again?" Akira said with a trembling voice.

"Don't cry Akira, I'm with you and I'm fine. Sorry yes, I made you even more scared" Hiro said trying to be as calm as possible.

"Hiks.. hiks.. but we're going back, right? We can meet our friends and teachers, right? We can go home, right?" Akira said crying in fear.

Hiro then hugs Akira. She patted Akira on the back, trying to calm him down. "We'll go home, we'll be fine. I promise to bring you back, don't cry."

(How about now? What do we do?) Inner Hiro was worried.

"It's quiet?" Hiro asked releasing his embrace.

"It has. Sorry Hiro, but you are also confused, but I cry like this" Akira said, wiping away her tears.

"No problem, I understand" Hiro smiled.

"Is anyone sick again?"

"No, it's been treated by you earlier. Thank you" Hiro smiled.

"You don't have to thank me. Let's go back upstairs" Akira asked.

"Are you all right?"

"Of course, I can't trouble the injured Hiro. Sorry for being so childish" Akira said, bowing respectfully.

"Don't be like that, it's not Akira's big deal. Come on" take Hiro.

(When he looked very scared, it seemed I was too worried for him) Hiro looked at Akira who was fine.

Hiro and Akira then go shoulder to shoulder to head up the slope with the help of the roots of the trees and plants that are there.

"Be careful Akira" said Hiro reaching out his hand.

"Thank you Hiro."

A while later they were able to head up, where Hiro had fallen earlier.

"Are you okay?" Ask Hiro.

"Yes, how's Hiro himself?"

"Secure, no one is hurt anymore" he smiled.

"Thank God, we just follow this path, right?"

"Right" said Hiro clasping Akira's hand. "You're right, there's no clue other than the arrow that points here. Someone must have bullied us" said Hiro.

"Why? Why would he do that? It's evil" said Akira sadly.

"Right, very evil. I'll find out later. It's almost afternoon, and no one has found us" Hiro said.

"Hiro is right" Akira said.

"Don't run, afraid we'll fall again like that. Just hold my hand" said Hiro smiling.

"All right, I get it"

A while later...

"Wait for Akira, I'm tired" said Hiro sitting on a fallen tree trunk.

"Hiro, are you seriously no one gets hurt anymore? Your leg's all right?" Ask Akira to worry.

"I'm doing fine. Just exhausted"

"It's a drink" Akira said, giving the bottle.

"No need, drink you stay a little. Just for you" said Hiro smiling.

"It's okay, I'm not thirsty. Hiro's the one who drinks" said Akira smiling. He was standing next to Hiro.

"Alright, thank you" Hiro smiled.

"Luckily I brought a bag, otherwise Hiro would have been in more pain."

"Don't worry about me like that or I'll feel guilty to Sou later" Hiro smiled.

"about! Hiro!" Shouted Sou from a distance.

"At last there is help coming" said Hiro standing followed by Akira.

"You guys okay?" Said Sou approaching Akira and Hiro. "Are you okay?" Ask Sou to Akira.

"S-S!" Akira quickly hugged Sou.

"Aki..ra?"

"Thank God hiks.hiks.thank God you came" said Akira crying in Sou's arms.

(This is the first time I've seen him cry)

"I'm sorry I'm late, you must have been very difficult, I'm sorry" Sou returned Akira's embrace. He stroked Akira's back to calm him down.

"You how's Hiro? Your hands,"

"I'm doing fine. Help Akira, he's so scared" Hiro smiled.

Sou then nodded. "Yosh, don't cry Akira. Let's go home" said Sou releasing his embrace.

"I-iya" he replied sobbing.

"Don't cry, I'm with you now. I will protect you" Sou said, wiping away Akira's tears. He then squatted in front of Akira.

"Well, I'll carry you."

"No-no, Hiro is injured, Sou carries Hiro alone" Akira refused.

"What does that mean? I still have the pride to be carried by a fellow man. You hurt my pride Akira" said Hiro a little upset.

"But Hiro fell down earlier, your hand was also injured. I can still walk" explained Akira.

"No-no. I can still walk too. You go up to his back, I'm fine" Hiro smiled. "Yosh, take him Sou" said Hiro walking ahead of Akira and Sou.

"Come on" Sou said directly carrying Akira.

"But-"

"Get a tight grip, Akira" Sou said.

Akira then wrapped his hand at Sou. He pressed his face against Sou's back.

"I was so scared just now" Akira said back sobbing.

"It's okay, everything will be fine" Sou calmed Akira down.

"I don't think I'll be able to go home. And Hiro. he's.."

"Everything's gonna be fine now. I promise to take care of you and bring you home safely. If something like this happens again, I will definitely find you" Sou smiled.

"About really scared" said Akira, squeezing his hand.

"There's me and Hiro here, you don't have to be afraid. I'm with you now" Sou continued to say things that kept Akira calm.

"Te-thank you"

(He must have been very scared, it's my fault for not keeping my group members especially Akira and Hiro) Sou said regretfully.

"He's asleep Sou" said Hiro staring at Akira

"He must have been very scared" Sou said.

"True, this is the first time she's cried. I was also very scared earlier" Hiro said again.

"Sorry Hiro, I'm late"

"No problem Sou, I'm also fine thanks to him."

A few days later, they managed to get out of the forest. The teachers and students greeted them with worried faces.

"Sou, is Akira hurt?" Ask the Teacher.

"No ma'am, Akira is not hurt. But Hiro is hurt" Akira explained.

"Quickly bring it inside" said Master Ma'am who was possessed by Sou.

Hiro and Akira are then taken to a room where there is no one. There they were treated by Master.

"How can you get lost like that?" Ask the Teacher.

"Something changed the direction of Sir" Sou said.

"Change how?"

"So Sou was very sure the directions were to the left, but when he realized Akira and Hiro were not there, he said, Sou went back down the previous path and the sign had changed to the right so it was likely that they were there and it turned out to be true" Sou explained.

"Who dares to change the sign. It was impossible if birds or beetles and such were made of iron. There are also no monkeys and other large animals" said Mr. Guru confused.

"Surely someone did it deliberately sir" Sou said again.

"Well, we'll find out what happened. Hiro and Akira are you okay?"

"It's Sir"

"Thankfully, stay here for a while longer before returning to their respective rooms" said Mr. Teacher leaving the room.

"Well Sir!"

"Sorry guys, I just made things worse, especially to Hiro earlier" Akira said regretfully.

"It doesn't matter Akira, I understand because I was scared too. I thought I was going to die when I fell" Hiro explained.

"It's important you're safe, isn't it? Sorry yes, it is my fault for not paying attention to my members well, you get hurt like this" Sou said regretfully.

"No Sou, it's our fault for staying behind" Hiro said.

"Hiro's right, it's our fault Sou. Sorry" Akira said apologizing.

"about! Thank goodness you're okay" said Hana suddenly coming crying.

"Don't make her cry again Hana" Sou warned.

"But, I'm really worried, thank God" Hana said, hugging Akira.

"Akira" said Rara and Miya who were also worried.

"We just talk there, Hiro is still sick he will be disturbed" said Rara, who was taken by the girls. The girls then moved to the end of the room.

"Damn! I feel like crying Sou" Hiro said with teary eyes.

"You must also have trouble, it's okay to cry" said Sou holding Hiro's shoulder.

"I thought I was going to die earlier" Hiro said with tears in his eyes. "I was also afraid that something might happen to her, so I tried not to scare her too much. I'm lucky I'm alive. *delight!"

(Hiro is also very frightened, this is the first time I see him crying as well) Inner Sou looked at Hiro.

"You're great Hiro. Thank you for holding on and protecting her, I owe you one. Thank goodness you're okay" said Sou patting Hiro on the shoulder.

"Don't cry if you're laughed at by the girls"

"You're right" she said, wiping away her tears.

Sou then smiled. "We're gonna find out the culprit and make him pay the price you're afraid of."